Cliff Lee absolutely dominated the L.A. Dodgers last night at CBP, firing an eight-inning gem to put the Phils up 2-1 in the NLCS. His performance was one of the finest in Phillies history.

Joe Blanton doesn’t have to repeat last night’s outing, but no one would mind if he did. Although he has not started a game since October 2 against Florida, Blanton has toed the rubber twice during the playoffs, with both appearances coming against Colorado in relief. Last postseason against the Dodgers, Blanton was decent, giving up three earned runs over five innings in the Game 4 victory. A repeat performance of that would be just fine tonight. And if Blanton comes up big, the Phillies will be in control of this series.

Standing in the way of that is an old Philly favorite. Randy Wolf will face off against the Phils for the fourth time in his career, but the first in the playoffs as a member of the Dodgers. Wolf is 1-1 against his former club in 2009, with two very different games. On May 13 in Philadelphia, Wolf was brilliant, striking out eight over six-innings, allowing just one earned run. On June 7, the Phils traveled to L.A. and knocked him around for six earned over 6 1/3. Which Wolfie will we see tonight? Hopefully the latter.

Amazingly, Pedro Feliz has owned Randy Wolf in his career. Feliz is 5-for-17 against Wolf with three homers. However, on the flip side, Ryan Howard has been awful against the junkball-throwing lefty. The Big Piece is just 1-for-9 with four punchouts in his career.

Blanton has been good against Matt Kemp (2-for-11) and Casey Blake (1-for-21) during his career, but awful against Manny Ramirez (14-for 25, HR, 8 RBI) and James Loney (5-for-8).

A commanding 3-games-to-1 lead is on the line tonight in South Philly, and it’s up to Joe Blanton to keep the ball rolling.

Your Gameday Beer – Sierra Nevada Porter
Sierra Nevada Porter doesn’t have the same malt taste as other beers from the brewery. It has a smoky flavor with hints of dark chocolate in the aftertaste. It is remarkably smooth and an overall great tasting genuine porter. This should keep you nice and warm on this chilly October evening. For dinner tonight: Steak. – By Pat

Your right Dodger Blue, Joe Blanton isn’t Cliff Lee, or Cole Hamels, but neither is Padilla, Wolf, Kershaw, Kuroda or whoever else the Dodgers throw out there. You all are very confident considering you haven’t won a game yet. The Phillies gift wrapped one for you.

I honestly think I am beginning to dislike Dodger trolls more than Met’s trolls.

Well, that could have been so much worse. Still in it. We have more outs to work with. Now all we need to do is somehow remind the Phillies hitters that just because they’re facing Randy Wolf, doesn’t mean they’ve won. I think they’ll be fine, though. Hopefully, Blanton got his focus back.

Blanton will be fine. Even if he trails – and I’ve a feeling he will because Steve Phillips said on ESPN that Wolf is apparently excellent against lefties with his high fastball – he’ll keep it close enough that we’ll come back and win it. Maybe my prediction for Lidge getting the win will come true.”

Half my prediction has come true. Time for the Phils to make the other half true.

We’re in striking distance. If Joe delivers another inn or two with only one more ER, I’d say we’re in a great position. We’re just as capable, if not more so, of stealing one as the Dodgers. This team won’t give up.

Well, it looks like we shot our wad for the night and are now done. Here’s hoping our diva can get his head straight enough to win Wednesday night, or it’s lights out in LA on Friday. No way can we win two there. (And, if I’m wrong, I’m ecstatic!)

yeah it’s only the sixth inning so i’m not to bummed but the errors are killing every team this year…I mean so many yankee victorys this post season came the courtesy of other teams blunders. Look at game 2 of the Dodgers/Cardinals. And that was a good pitch by Blanton on Blake too… bad break on what should have never happened

I’d be all for it depending on what the guys ahead of him do. We know Feliz will foul out and Ruiz will get a hit of some sort. Maybe have Park sacrifice Park over to 2nd and then let J-Roll do what J-Roll does.

The whole idea of a 4-out save is such a farce. As is the idea of a save. Mentally, the pitcher must be solid enough to face the pressure. But, it’s simply an inning of relief. Announcers act like these guys can only pitch three outs, and when they do more, it’s as if their elbows start smoking, their shoulders turn red, etc. These guys are professional relievers.

Lee is scheduled to pitch game 7, with Pedro in game 6. And I am not confident with Hamels in game 5. Not sure how anyone can be at this point. he didn’t pitch poorly in game 1 but he didn’t pitch great either.

Going back to earlier, I just don’t get Manuel’s insistence upon hanging with Blanton in the sixth inning. I don’t feel that he’s been as stellar as he’s been made out to be in this series (ala Phil Sheridan).

“Over? Did you say over? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! And it ain’t over now. ‘Cause when the goin’ gets tough…the tough get goin’! Who’s with me? Let’s go!” (John Belushi from Animal House)

Sorry for a personal note fellas, but I really want to say thank you to all of you who gave my family well wishes yesterday! My baby boy was VERY HEALTHY today! I never thought I would be able to watch this, but my wife ASKED ME to put the game on! What a women! I was able to turn it on in the top of the 9th, and got a chance to see this!

Mike D. Says:
October 19th, 2009 at 10:32 am
“Blanton will be fine. Even if he trails – and I’ve a feeling he will because Steve Phillips said on ESPN that Wolf is apparently excellent against lefties with his high fastball – he’ll keep it close enough that we’ll come back and win it. Maybe my prediction for Lidge getting the win will come true. We as fans will need to rattle Wolf.”

Also, thanks a bunch Mike D! J-Roll baby! I admit I did NOT have phaith in J-Roll (I am eating crow and loving it). I told my wife “J-Roll will swing at first pitch again, and get an out”. Well he swung at first pitch, but missed it, and CAME UP HUGE! Lets take this next game fellas! Lets take this next game! Dont give them hope, dont give them hope!

Thanks everyone. What a GREAT freakin day. AWESOME. I keep telling my wife, thank you for telling me to turn the game on! (and other things obviously.) I like Ryans interview. in reference to the Home Run “It went out luckily”. LOL. Has Howard had any luck in the post season? I wouldnt call October Lucky for him anymore, he has been LOCKED IN! 1 more RBI for Howard and he PASSES LOU GEHRIG! Are you freakin kidding me?

Mike D. Says:
October 19th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
“Mike D. Says:
October 19th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Blanton will be fine. Even if he trails – and I’ve a feeling he will because Steve Phillips said on ESPN that Wolf is apparently excellent against lefties with his high fastball – he’ll keep it close enough that we’ll come back and win it. Maybe my prediction for Lidge getting the win will come true.”
Half my prediction has come true. Time for the Phils to make the other half true.

I dont know about you guys, but I have a nasty headache now. Maybe thats because I couldnt actually scream and yell and and I had to flip out and hold everything in as I was jumpng around like a complete IDIOT. Jason, Brian Chase is a good name. I have a nephew named Chase!

Like I said yesterday, this Phillies team is a passionate emotional bunch! Last year was for Cholly’s mother and Vic’s grandmother, this year is for Harry! RIP Harry, the PHans of Philadelphia have NOT forgotten about you!

As we approach this Halloween time of the year I have seen a relevant likeness between our Phillies and a legend of the horror genre. The icon Jason Vorhees, no matter how many times people thought they had laid him to rest, always found a way to rise up out of the grave at the last second possible. Be afraid Dodgers/Angels/Yankees, be very afraid. We do not die easily.
High hopes, baby.

I was telling my buddy Dan how Harry would be so proud of this team. Dan said, “he is.” Because right now, somewhere, Harry is looking down and smiling, and by his side, Whitey is telling him, “hard to believe, Harry.”

By the way, hopefully someone gets a clip of Franzke and LA on JRoll’s hit. Syncing the radio to the TV was the only way to watch it. The genuine excitement, yelling, static from the deafening crowd… awesome.

you guys gotta find the radio call of rollins hit. five times more awesome than the stairs call from last year. its awesome and i love LA (larry andersen) going nuts as franzke nearly loses his voice. just plain amazing.

Matt stairs right in the middle of it again. Id not thought in a million years j roll gets a hit there. The announcers make broxton seem unhittable lol. Guess not. Ruiz is slower than Sid bream rounding the bases but he got there. Thats up there with game 4 last year. simply amazing i am still in shock. win 5 more games and th old man gets a statue at the stadium. I mean that seriously

The thing I have said to everyone the past hour or so, “I knew they would win. I just did not think it would happen like that.” Incredible. I thought they would tie it up, and win in extra innings.

It’s was funny, right before Jimmy came up to bat, my fiance said to me, “Well, are you excited to go to the game on Wednesday?” And I said,”yea, it’s going go be great to go to a clincher. Jimmy Rollins has been waiting his whole life for this moment.” And she looked at me like I was from Mars. Last Monday taught me to never stop believing.

Finally, big round of applause for the bullpen for keeping it close. I will be sitting in section 414 on Wednesday, can’t wait to give the Dodgers hell.

BlooBlood showed ip on the other post about hoping we learn what it felt like tonight. Need we remember the 1993 World Series. We know all to well what its like as Phillies fans to lose it in the bottom of the 9th on a walkoff. (we still forgive you Mitch Williams).